Kukla's Korner Hockey

Hartley has already reached out to all the players, and has talked to all but two or three.

His first call? None other than captain Jarome Iginla.

“I spoke to him about my experience with Joe Sakic in Colorado,” Hartley said. “I told him everywhere I coach, my captain is kind of an assistant coach. He is the link between the players and the coaching staff. I rely on that.”

The Flames released a statement Wednesday from Iginla, who had previously been unavailable for comment on the hiring of Hartley.

“His reputation and accomplishments are very impressive,” Iginla said. “I have heard he is a very detailed and passionate coach, and from our initial conversation, I’m looking forward to learning from him and getting better as a team.”

After three seasons with no playoffs in Calgary, some fans are clearly pining for wholesale changes in personnel. Hartley clearly sees no such upheaval on the horizon.

“We’re going to basically have the same core of players, so it’s up to us,” he said. “It’s up to us the players, the coaching staff and the management — to bring in a new attitude.”